Admission is based on a competitive entrance exam after high school (lycée), though candidates may also apply after two or three years of university studies in the subjects of history, classics, literature, geography, philosophy and art.[1] The school offers an undergraduate program, a master's program and a doctoral program as well as a preparation class for civil service entrance exams.[2]

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The École du Louvre was created in 1882 with the mission to "extract from the collections the knowledge they contain, and to train curators, missionaries and excavators". The school was originally dedicated to Archaeology, but soon expanded to related disciplines, such as History of Art, Anthropology or Ancient Languages.[1]

The school was created in a context of expansion of higher education in Europe, and in France in particular, which was reflected by providing lectures to the general public in addition to providing an education to students. Public lectures and conferences aimed at fee-paying "auditors", and summer school, continues the tradition on which the school was based.

In 1920, the school established the General Art History course (known as HGA), that became the foundation for the curriculum. This course would develop into the current graduate program over the following years.

In 1927, the school was innovative by creating the chair of museology, the first such in the world.

In 1998, following the development of the Grand Louvre, the school moved to its present location in the Aile de Flore, the river-facing wing of the museum.

As of 2006, the École du Louvre complies with the Bologna process and offers an undergraduate degree after three years (Premier Cycle), a master's degree after two years (Deuxième cycle) and a research degree in three years (Troisième Cycle). It also provides preparation classes for some civil service exams as well as conferences for a wider public. Altogether, there are about 700 teaching staff.

The École du Louvre is unique in that selectivity is not limited to the initial competitive entrance exam to the undergraduate program. There is a highly selective process between the first and second years, the result of which students may not continue to complete the degree which is a manifestation of the French conception of selection towards excellence in higher education.

Undergraduate students, known as EdLien, follow a core course called HGA (General Art History studying various periods and areas). Lectures are held in an amphitheatre, and tutorials are held in various museums providing a "hands-on" experience with the material.

The first year is dedicated to the Antiquity, with an emphasis on Prehistoric, Classical and Oriental Archaeology.

The second year focuses on the History of Art and Archaeology of the non-Western world, as well as the study of the Middle Ages and Renaissance.

The final year focuses on the History of Art in modern times, and African and Oceana Art including Anthropology.

The master's program is composed of two years. During the first year, students study museology and research methods. At the end of the second year, students submit a master's thesis highlighting research and work experience.

Although the research program is not formally a doctoral program, delivering a diplôme de recherche approfondie instead, students spend the three or more years conducting extensive academic research under the direction of a supervisor from the École du Louvre.